We've been spoiled ...

Inspired by Connie Babbert and Barb Mulikin

The weather in Vermont has been record breaking ... reaching near 80 this past week!  I found myself drawn to the outdoor sun.  We just finished a few short weeks of making some yummy syrup in the backyard sugar shack (the season cut short by the unusual weather).  I found myself slacking in preparation for a scheduled Stampin' Up workshop (Yup, it's tomorrow) ... tonight I pulled some supplies off the shelf and enjoyed some time putting together some card kits.  I made this adorable tootsie pop bouquet inspired by Cindy Vinson.  I love the Mixed Bunch stamp set and punch offered by Stampin' Up in their current mini catalog!  There is so much that you can do with it...


Now it wouldn't be right to talk about Vermont syrup making without sharing some of the fun with you.  It is such a priceless experience to share with your children and I can not wait to take the pictures from our season in the backyard sugar shack!

 Here I am with my first jar of pure Vermont maple syrup!  For those who do not know ... it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup ... and we do it all by hand from tapping trees, to gathering sap right down to the boil and draw!



Below you will see the stages of boiling sap - a truly amazing picture captured!

And of course I had to share a tapped tree!

 

 

Greeting Card Kids and Music to lift the spirit!

It rarely happens but today was one of those days ... all of the daycare children fell asleep at the same time.  Almost too awed to no know what to do withself, I almost didn't take advantage of the quiet time.  There was no way I could accomplish anything before they all woke up ... or so I thought.  I whipped out the new Candy Cane DSP and the Greeting Card Kids stamp set and whipped up this adorable holiday card.  I remember seeing the color combination on another demonstrators website.  I believe the color combo came from Debbie Keane and can be viewed on her blog: (http://www.pungostamper.blogspot.com/). 

Real Red Cardstock

Candy Cane DSP

Greeting Card Kids stamp set

Four the Holidays stamp set

Whisper White Cardstock

2 3/8 scallop punch

2 1/2 circle punch

1/8 Real red taffeta ribbon

Now both of my sisters have commented on their blogs that is my turn to share a bit of my musical library.  (isomcre8tions@blogspot.com and pyropassion@blogspot.com).  I have shared with my siblings the struggles I have finding myself and my relationship with the Lord.  I began to follow Casting Crowns and their hit song from 2009 touched me beyond belief.

"Until The Whole World Hears"

Lord, I want to feel your heart

And see the world through your eyes

I want to be your hands and feet

I want to live a life that leads


Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise


Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out

Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound

Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out

And as the day draws near

We'll sing until the whole world hears

 

Thanks for visiting.  I love hearing from you! 

Blessings,

Samie in VT

Stampin' Up always on my mind ...

Finally Friday and I managed to survive a crazy week.  The weather was so hot ... and we were teased with the July heat that never found its way during the summer months.  The kids were cranky from spending their days inside hot classrooms and it seemed quite the challenge to maintain any structure.  As soon as the work day ended, I packed up some supplies and headed over to my Stampin' sisters house to play for a couple of hours.  I was surprised that through all of our ahhhing and oohhhing over the Holiday mini and the catty, I managed to make some gift card holders. I also worked on some Santa cards that I will post soon!

   Here is a true Vermont sunset.  Relaxing!


Thanks for stopping by!